COMMUNITIES

U NETWORK

SMEs: Taking Care of Business and Workers

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up 99 per cent of businesses and employ over 70 per cent of our workforce.

As the backbone of Singapore’s trade and industry, SMEs play an important role in keeping the economy booming and ensuring the well-being of Singapore’s workers.

NTUC U SME recognises the efforts of outstanding SME partners who share the Labour Movement’s belief in making every business a better business, every job a better job and every worker a better worker.

This year saw five U SME partners being honoured at the May Day Awards.

TS Group Pte Ltd (Partner of Labour Movement)

Established in 2009, TS Group manages the first and largest purpose-built workers’ dormitory in Singapore. The company has invested in productivity projects to make jobs faster, easier and safer. TS Group launched a Smart Management System to digitise and automate work processes, cutting down on human labour. The Group has been very supportive of U SME and its initiatives, such as the SME Symposium. Its flagship 16,800-bed migrant worker dormitory has also been a contract partner in the housing of the Migrant Workers’ Centre’s (MWC) 50-bed shelter since 2015.

To upgrade the industry, the Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS) has pushed hard for the inclusion of the sector in the Industry Transformation Map and is now working with the National Environment Agency to operationalise it. In addition, WMRAS has participated in several dialogues organised by NTUC to explore implementing fairer human resource (HR) practices and systems to attract and retain more Singaporean workers. WMRAS has also been working with NTUC U SME to reduce the industry’s reliance on manpower and implement more effective work practices through programmes like the Lean Enterprise Development Scheme.

People Bee Hoon Factory Pte Ltd (Plaque of Commendation)

One of the ways the company has shown it cares for its mature workers is by adopting technology to make their work easier, better and faster. in the introduction of the Pallet Wrapping Machine has made work faster and more efficient. The work process is also less tiring as workers can now work under a sheltered environment. With the new machine, lesser staff is required to operate the machine and they can be redeployed to do higher value jobs. Assisted by NTUC, People Bee Hoon Factory took up WorkPro’s Job Redesign Grant.

Hong Seafood(Plaque of Commendation)

Hong Seafood is a strong believer in creating a culture of growth within its company. They recognise their staff’s hard work and dedication. They empower their team to reach for higher goals and actively invest in their development to facilitate progress, catering to their passions and aspirations at the workplace. A family-owned business and founded in 1986, Hong Seafood has always had a focus on building a Singaporean core by recruiting mainly locals and permanent residents. The company is also gradually enhancing its human capital framework to incorporate more benefits and practices as part of their long-term strategy to attract and retain workers.

Jason Marine Group (Plaque of Commendation)

Jason Marine has adopted Tripartite Standards such as Flexible Work Arrangements, Grievance Handling and Employment of Term Contract Employees to create a conducive work environment. It also practices good retention policies through various feedback mechanisms such as town hall, departmental and interests group meetings. The company believes that the heads of departments are also part of the human resource team and share the responsibility to take care of the people. Jason Marine worked closely with the Shipbuilding -and Marine Engineering Employees' Union (SMEEU) to conduct briefings on membership benefits.